Move to honour Bahrain handball team with cash prizes

TDT | Manama | Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com 

Parliament has backed an urgent proposal calling on the government to grant cash bonuses and formal honours to Bahrain’s national handball team after their victory in the Islamic Solidarity Championship.

The measure, passed on Tuesday, urges the government to reward and recognise the players ‘as soon as possible’. It was submitted by MPs Jaleela Alawi, Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Mahmood Fardan, Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata and Ahmed Al Salloom.

According to the explanatory memorandum, the move falls within Parliament’s drive to support sport and to acknowledge the results achieved by Bahraini youth in regional and international competitions. The document describes the team’s win as a well-earned achievement that carried Bahrain’s flag to the winners’ podium and showed that local players are able to compete for, and win, titles in different conditions.

The memorandum states that the victory shows the determination and resolve of young Bahrainis and the effort of national staff when they receive support and encouragement from the state. It adds that the result fits with government policy to strengthen the presence of Bahraini sport and to secure its place on the international stage.

MP Jaleela Al Sayed, who sponsored the proposal, said the urgent move seeks to grant financial bonuses and suitable honours to members of Bahrain’s national handball team, in recognition of their title in the Islamic Solidarity Championship. She said the step is intended to show government backing for the kingdom’s champions and to encourage young Bahrainis to keep pursuing results in sport.

In its reasons for the motion, the memorandum says that rewarding the team would help create a supportive setting for national talent in sport, allowing athletes to build their skills and reach higher levels of performance, which in turn would keep Bahrain’s sporting progress going. It also notes that material and moral rewards show the state’s appreciation for their efforts and urge them to keep raising Bahrain’s name in various competitions.

The document further states that direct backing for national teams would improve their readiness for regional and international events and strengthen Bahrain’s standing as a competitive player in sport. It also calls for clear and direct procedures to reward champions soon after they achieve success, in order to deepen national pride and encourage different sectors to seek excellence and public service.